Indoor vs. Outdoor: Which is best for your cat?

When you go to an animal shelter to meet the cats, one of the first questions the volunteers ask is, “will your cat be an indoor or an outdoor cat”? If you are like many people, your childhood cat came and went as it pleased, so you may not have given this question any thought. Indoor vs outdoor: is it really that important? Today, I want to talk about just that and hopefully give you enough information to make that decision for you and your cat.

Can all cats be outdoor cats?

For their new pet, some people want a cat to live outdoors- at least part-time, but contrary to popular belief, not all cats are suitable for outdoor life. It is understandable that people wouldn’t think of that. After all, there are millions of feral cats in the United States who survive without human intervention, living in feral colonies and hunting their own food for survival. The thing is, outdoor life requires kitty to be savvy to the dangers in the environment. The truth is that many cats that are left outside by abandonment do not survive; they are simply not equipped for life without humans. Some people abandon animals in feral colonies expecting their cat to just take up with the colony. However, cats are territorial and ferals are not going to just accept another member. Membership is largely based on resources available and survival of the fittest.

This brings me back to the animal shelter question- the cats in animal shelters are often not outdoor cats. Many of them were born in captivity and have never been outside. What’s more, many shelter cats were bottle babies- this means that their mother died before the kittens were weaned. Kittens that were bottle-fed by humans have certainly never learned to hunt or survive on their own. Shelter workers begin with this question to guide adopters toward cats that can fit into their expectations.

Keeping a cat outdoors- risks and benefits

When you keep a cat outdoors, it is important to consider the risks to your cat. Injuries and death caused by being hit by cars is one of the top concerns for cats who spend time outside. Wildlife is also a huge risk to outdoor cats. While cats are predators to small animals, it’s important to remember that they are also prey to dogs, coyotes, eagles, owls, and other wildlife; they could be injured or killed if attacked. In addition to the threat of other species, cats can actually be dangerous to other cats! They can easily transmit illnesses to each other. This can happen as a result of fighting and could include illnesses such as rabies, FIV, and feline leukemia. Cats can pick up bacterial infections and parasites outdoors, as well. Fleas and roundworms are the most common, but other infections such as ringworm are also fairly common in outdoor cats. Another potential problem is that your cat could easily ingest toxic chemicals such as antifreeze or bleach which are commonly found around people’s homes. Studies show that 36% of cats outdoors do ingest substances that were not provided by their owners The risks for outdoor cats is high and in fact, the lifespan for a cat living outdoors is typically about 3 years. (Lloyd et. al.)

The benefit of allowing a cat to spend time outdoors is that your cat is less likely to be obese- running, climbing trees, hunting, and exploring are all great exercises and mental stimulation. Cats are less likely to exhibit unwanted behaviors such as litter box issues if they receive adequate mental stimulation.

Keeping your cat indoors- how to keep them healthy

The greatest problem with keeping a cat indoors, in my opinion, is the risk of developing obesity and related illnesses such as diabetes. Cats have natural instincts to run and stalk prey. They like to climb trees and explore. If opportunities for enrichment activities that allow cats to act on these instincts are not provided, cats can not only develop weight issues, but also emotional problems. Boredom can lead to cats finding their own enrichment- including scratching or climbing the furniture, curtains, walls, cabinets… anything they can– and they can really get almost anywhere. Cats who really want to go outside can also be very dramatic about it, meowing loudly, darting for the doors, and generally trying to get someone to notice what they want- luckily this usually fades away over time as they get used to staying indoors. Many of the problems that indoor cats face can be prevented or eliminated by providing activities and enrichment for your cat.

The greatest benefit to keeping a cat indoors is that they are safe from the dangers of outdoor life. The statistic is that indoor cats typically live 12-18 years (Lloyd et. al.)

Tips for outdoor cats

If you have decided that you really want your cat to go outside, there are things you can do. If you live in an urban environment, Another alternative is to leash-train your cat- yes they can be leash trained! It involves a lot of patience and rewards. I have never been able to leash train my cats, but I have taken cats for walks in a cat stroller. One of the animal shelters I worked for in the past had one, and many of the cats really enjoyed it once they got used to it. If you want to allow your cat to roam, I recommend short outings- supervised. I know someone whose cat will go for walks with her and her dog and then go back in the house. Whether or not I recommend this depends on the environment where you live- if it’s urban, the traffic dangers are very high. If you live in a rural area, your kitty may be ok enjoying time with you outdoors. One thing that I will certainly advise, and that is keeping your kitty indoors after dark. The risks to outdoor cats accelerate when the sun goes down.

Tips for indoor cats

While your indoor cat doesn’t face the same dangers as an outdoor cat. However, it is very important to your cat’s well-being to provide enrichment to allow your cat to engage in natural behaviors. Toys, cat trees, and condos are all made to help kitty engage in their natural activities. Scratching posts are helpful. It’s also important to engage with your cats- play with them! If you cannot devote time to your cat, it’s important to adopt two cats together to allow them to entertain each other. Cat TV- AKA bird feeders outside a window can provide a lot of entertainment for your cat. Many people walk their cats on leashes. If you aren’t up for leash training your cat, you can actually get kitty strollers. I used one at an animal shelter, and the kitties actually enjoyed it- it took them a few tries to get used to it, but then they adapted very well! There are also kitty backpacks available to help you and your kitty enjoy some fresh air together. If you really want to spoil your cat, you can convert a screened-in porch into a catio- or build one. A catio is essentially a screened-in porch that is designed to allow your cat to go outside. The screen is typically more durable than traditional screened-in porches so that kitty can’t easily rip through. Enrichment for the cat is usually also provided such as cat trees- you can make them from tree branches to give kitty a more authentic feel, and they can be a really cute addition to your home!

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Sources:

Loyd, K.A.T.; Hernandez, S.M.; Abernathy, K.J.; Shock, B.C.; Marshall, G.J. Risk behaviours exhibited by
free-roaming cats in a suburban US town. Vet. Rec. 2013, 173, 295